Staff writer Corey Mitchell covers English-language learners, bilingual education and civil rights issues for Education Week. Join him as he explores the educational, policy, and social issues surrounding ELLs in U.S. schools.

Trend Watch: Do Latino Children Receive Good Nutrition?

In visiting schools, I've sometimes heard educators observe that if children are hungry in class, they can't concentrate on learning. I remember that one Oregon teacher of English-language learners, many from low-income migrant families, addressed this issue by keeping a basket of bananas in her classroom that she could give to children who hadn't eaten properly at home.

The advocacy group has also brought together a group of advisers to lead an initiative to focus on good nutrition for all children. This month I wrote a story for EdWeek about how the recession has both increased the number of children participating in free lunch programs funded by the federal government in some communities and decreased the number in others, depending on how the programs are implemented.

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